Ramped pontoon for retrieving a pool cleaner

ABSTRACT

A floating platform dimensioned and configured to receive and transport an automated pool cleaner on the surface of the water is disclosed. For convenience, the floating platform is referred to as a pontoon. The pontoon is also configured to control the retrieval of the pool cleaner. The pontoon includes a buoyant housing having a first end and a second end. An inclined platform or ramp is positioned in the pontoon housing at an angle from the first end towards the second end. The pontoon includes a winch for winding and unwinding a cable connected to the pool cleaner to thereby selectively release and retrieve the cleaner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/169,360, filed Jun. 1, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ramped pontoon for retrieving a poolcleaner from a swimming pool or other water container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pool cleaners that remain in the pool can be problematic while swimming,diving, playing and/or enjoying the pool. Therefore, many pool ownersremove the pool cleaners from the water before they and/or their guestsenter the pool. Many pool cleaners require human intervention forremoving the cleaner from the pool water after the cleaning cycle hascompleted. One such method for retrieving the pool cleaner requires auser to manually pull the device up out of the water by its cord. Thiscan be a tedious and bothersome task because it requires human laboreach and every time the pool cleaner is removed from the pool. Thepresent invention provides a solution to the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a floating platform dimensioned andconfigured to receive and transport an automated pool or tank cleaner onthe surface of the water. For convenience, the floating platform isreferred to below as a pontoon. The pontoon is also configured tocontrol the retrieval of the pool cleaner. The pontoon includes abuoyant housing configured to float in water of a swimming pool andhaving a first end and a second end. An inclined platform or ramp ispositioned in the pontoon housing at an angle down from the first endtowards the second end. The pontoon includes a winch for winding andunwinding a cable connected to the pool cleaner.

In one embodiment, the pontoon includes at least one driven wheelpositioned near the first end. Each driven wheel preferably includesextendable paddle blades which extend when the wheel rotates in apredetermined direction against the frictional force of the pool water.

In one embodiment, the pontoon includes a power source for powering thewinch. In one embodiment, the power source includes a battery. In oneembodiment, the pontoon includes a solar panel positioned on the rampedplatform for charging the battery.

The pontoon can include one or more sensors, including: a touch sensorpositioned to sense when the pool cleaner has reached the pontoon; arange sensor for detecting the distance between the pool cleaner and thepontoon; and/or a distance sensor for detecting the length of cable thathas been retracted.

In one embodiment, the pontoon includes at least one passive wheelpositioned near the second end for supporting the buoyant housing whiletraversing a solid surface.

In one embodiment, the ramped platform includes a high-friction surfacefor preventing the pool cleaner from sliding down after docking.

In one embodiment, the pontoon includes at least one vertical side wallextending laterally between the first end and the second end.

The invention further discloses a method for controlling the retrievalof a pool cleaner while submerged in pool water comprising: (a)providing a buoyant housing having a winch; (b) attaching a cablebetween the winch and the pool cleaner; and (c) winding up the winch toretrieve the pool cleaner from the pool water.

In one embodiment, the buoyant housing includes at least one drivenwheel and the method further comprises the step of rotating the drivenwheel for moving the buoyant housing along the surface of the poolwater.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of winding outthe winch to release the pool cleaner.

In one embodiment, the buoyant housing includes at least one drivenwheel and the method further comprises the step of rotating the drivenwheel for enabling the buoyant housing to climb up a sidewall and out ofthe pool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present invention will be readily understood fromthe following detailed description when considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a ramped pontoon in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pontoon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the pontoon taken along section3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the pontoon taken along section4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a driven wheel of the pontoon in its closedposition;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the driven wheel of the pontoon in its expandedposition;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an illustrative pool cleaner suitable for use inthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the pool cleaner of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the pool cleaner taken alongsection 7-7 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pool cleaner combined with thepontoon in a docked position;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the pool cleaner combined with the pontoon in adocked position;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the pool cleaner combined with the pontoon ina docked position; and

FIGS. 13a through 13i illustrate the operational procedure of thepresent invention.

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical referencenumerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same orsimilar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless statedotherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, butare shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1-6.

As shown in the top view of FIG. 1, the floating pontoon 10 is formedfrom a buoyant housing 9 configured to float in water of a swimming poolor other water container, and having a first end 12 and a second end 13.An electric power cable 14, which is preferably reinforced to provideadequate tensile strength, is retractably and removably connected to arotatable unwinder/retractor (e.g., a winch; see FIG. 3) positionedinside the housing 9 near the first end 12. In one embodiment, the powercable 14 is reinforced with a coated (water impermeable) steel wire orthe like. The power cable 14 is configured to be connected to a poolcleaner (see FIGS. 7-12), wherein electrical power can be fed from thepontoon to the pool cleaner via the power cable 14. In one embodimentthe cable 14 does not carry electricity and the pool cleaner receivesits power from another source. The pontoon housing includes two verticalside walls 11 a and 11 b that extend between the first end 12 and secondend 13, and prevent the pool cleaner from sliding off the platform 20after it has been docked on the platform. The platform 20 is preferablya flat surface positioned between the sidewalls 11 a and 11 b of thehousing 9 and inclined at an acute angle from the first end 12 towardsthe second end 13 for providing a ramped entry/exit for theingress/egress of the pool cleaner to and from the pontoon 10 (see FIGS.2 and 3). In one embodiment, the surface of the platform 12 includes ahigh-friction material or coating or one or more protruding elements(not shown) and the like that engage with, and prevent the pool cleanerfrom sliding down the ramp after it has docked on the platform 12 at apredetermined position. In one embodiment, a series of solar panels 20are positioned on the surface of the ramp, or elsewhere on the pontoon,for charging an on-board battery (see FIG. 3) when the pool cleaner isin the pool water. A pair of driven (active) wheels 15 a and 15 b(collectively forward wheels 15) are positioned proximate the first end12. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thenumber of driven wheels 15 is not considered limiting and can includeone, two, three, four, five or more driven wheels. In another embodiment(not shown), the pontoon 10 does not include any driven wheels, suchthat the pontoon has no self-propulsion capability.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pontoon 10 showing the first driven(active) wheel 15 a positioned proximate the first end 12. In oneembodiment, the housing includes a pair of smaller non-driven (passive)wheels 16 a and 16 b (collectively rear wheels 16) at the second (rear)end 13 (see FIG. 4). The driven wheels 15 and the free smaller wheels 16allow the housing to roll along a rigid surface while the pontoon 10 istravelling under its own power outside of the pool. In addition, thesmaller wheels 16 allow the housing 9 to roll over the pool deck orother hard surface, while the pontoon is being pulled by a user duringtransport.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the ramped pontoon taken alongsection 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing an on-board battery 22 which powers ageared motor 18 for rotating an axle 17 that (i) drives the forward pairof wheels 15, and/or (ii) rotates the winch 19 (see FIG. 4) forwinding/unwinding the cable 14 that is connected to the robotic poolcleaner. In another embodiment, a separate motor (not shown) can beincluded for allowing separate control of the driven wheels 15 a and 15b and the winch 19. A transformer 21 can also be used in recharging thebattery 22. In another embodiment, the power source can be an externalbattery or an external power supply (not shown) that is connected to thepontoon 10 via a conventional floating power cable.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the pontoon taken along section4-4 of FIG. 2. The housing can include a charging socket 23 for manuallyrecharging the battery 22 while the unit is not in use. The user canrecharge the battery 22 by plugging a free end of a second (e.g.poolside) power cable (not shown) into the socket 23 on the pontoon. Inthis view, the cable 14 is shown wound on the winch 19 in a retractedstate. The motor 24 is connected to the winch 19 via a gear 25 forrotating the winch 19. The pair of smaller non-driven (passive) wheels16 a and 16 b are shown positioned near the second end 13.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the driven wheel 15 a of the ramped pontoon inits closed position, wherein three paddle blades 26, 27, 28 arecollapsed and rest flush against the circumference of the wheel. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the number ofpaddle blades is not considered limiting and can include one, two,three, four, five or more blades. In one embodiment, the paddle bladesare hinged and biased to assume the closed position by springs (notshown).

FIG. 6 is a side view of the driven wheel 15 a of the pontoon 10 in itsextended operational position, wherein the rotating paddle blades 26,27, 28 will exert a propelling force to move the unit over the surfaceof the water. In one embodiment, the paddle blades extend when thewheels 15 a and 15 b rotate in a given direction against the frictionalforce of the pool water. Each paddle blade rotates open about a hinge(e.g. pivot about an axis) until it reaches a predetermined position,upon which further rotation is prevented by a stop element (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, a description will be provided of an exemplarypool cleaner in use with the pontoon 10. It should be understood thatthe pool cleaner described below is but a single non-limiting example.For example, the pool cleaner can include motor driven impellers thatcreate a high pressure water jet to propel the cleaner on the poolsurface being cleaned. Alternatively, the pool cleaner can include motordriven wheels, brushes and/or tracks for supporting, moving and guidingthe cleaner on the pool surface to be cleaned, as illustrated in FIGS.7-9.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the pool cleaner 30. The pool cleaner has afront end 32 and a rear end 33. The electric power cable 14 is connectedfrom the pontoon housing to the cable socket/strain relief fitting 31located on the front end 32 of the pool cleaner housing. The poolcleaner 30 includes a pair of motor driven tracks 34 a and 34 b, anoutlet 35 for discharging filtered water, a filter, e.g., a top accessfilter cartridge 36, and one or more bottom intake ports 37.

More specifically, the pool cleaner 30 includes at least one inlet port37 provided on the bottom of the cleaner. When electric power isprovided to the electric motor of the pump 40 via the power cable 14,the propeller of the pump rotates and causes water and debris at thesurface beneath the cleaner to be drawn through the inlet and into theinterior chamber of the cleaner, where the filter 41 captures andretains the debris and allows filtered water to be discharged back intothe pool via the outlet 35.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the pool cleaner of FIG. 7, illustrating afirst side plate 29 a, self-contained drive motors (not shown), and twodriven brushes 38 and 39. The power cable 14 supplies electrical powerfrom the battery 22 housed onboard the pontoon 10 to the drive motorswhich power the tracks 34 a and 34 b and/or the brushes 38 and 39.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the pool cleaner 30 taken alongsection 9-9 of FIG. 7 showing illustratively a vertical pump motor 40, afilter cartridge/media 41, a secondary internal wall/filter areaconfinement 42, and driven axle/drive brushes 38 and 39 that transferpower to both driven tracks of the unit. Other configurations using thesame or different elements can be used in the construction of the poolcleaner without limitation.

FIGS. 10-12 show a perspective view, top view, and side view,respectively, of the pool cleaner 30 in a docked position on the ramp 20of the pontoon 10, being joined together with the cable 14.

A method for the practice of the invention will now be described. Afterthe pontoon carrying the pool cleaner is placed in the pool, the powercable 14 is unwound from the spool of the winch 19 to enable the poolcleaner 30 to descend to the bottom of the pool and initiate a cleaningprogram to clean the submerged pool surfaces. In one embodiment, aprogrammed controller transmits a signal to activate the pontoon winch19 to retrieve the pool cleaner by winding the power cable 14 around thespool when the battery reaches a predetermined low voltage level, whenthe cleaning operation is completed, and/or after a predetermined timefollowing the descent of the pool cleaner from the platform 20.

After the cable lifts and retrieves the cleaner off the bottom surfaceof the pool and docks it on the pontoon platform, the forward pair ofwheels 15 is activated causing the extendable paddle blades (see FIGS. 5and 6) to extend when encountering the frictional force of the poolwater. The extended paddle wheels rotate and enable the pontoon to moveacross the water's surface to the pool wall and climb to exit the poolafter the cleaning operation. In an alternative embodiment, the pontoondoes not have any self-propulsion capability and requires that the usermanually retrieve the pontoon from the pool. The user can then rechargethe battery 22 by plugging a free end of a second (poolside) power cable(not shown) into a socket 23 on the pontoon (see FIG. 4). In analternative embodiment, the pontoon includes solar panels which chargethe battery 22 while not in use.

An embodiment of a detailed operational procedure of the invention isshown in FIGS. 13a through 13i , and described below as follows:

With reference to FIG. 13a , the pontoon carrying the pool cleaner ismanually placed by a user in the pool on the top surface of the poolwater. In another embodiment, the pontoon drives itself into the poolwater while carrying the pool cleaner in a docked position.

With reference to FIG. 13b , the pool cleaner drives off the rampedpontoon under its own power. In another embodiment, the user can releasethe pool cleaner manually from the pontoon.

With reference to FIG. 13c , the cable connecting the pool cleaner tothe ramped pontoon is unwound from the spool of the winch 19, therebyallowing the pool cleaner to descend to the bottom of the pool.

With reference to FIG. 13d , the pool cleaner operates its cleaningcycle as a self-propelled robotic pool cleaner while remaining tetheredto the floating pontoon. In one embodiment, the pontoon generallyremains in a position that is vertically above the pool cleaner so thatthe power cable will not become twisted or wrapped around the pontoon.

With reference to FIG. 13e , when the cleaning cycle is completed, theretractable cable is wound on the spool of the winch and the poolcleaner is pulled up towards the pontoon. In a preferred embodiment, thepool cleaner has neutral buoyancy. In other embodiments, the poolcleaner has negative or positive buoyancy. The pool cleaner is heldagainst the bottom of the pool during the cleaning cycle because thecleaning pump creates a low pressure environment at the pool surfaceproximate the inlets, and an upwardly projecting jet stream of waterwhich creates a downwardly directed force sufficient to keep the cleaneralong the surface being cleaned. When the cleaning pump is shut off, thepool cleaner can float to the surface because of its neutral buoyancywith the assistance of the winch. The winch can be used to assist thepool cleaner to rise to the surface of the pool, but the winch ispreferably shut off when the pool cleaner nears the surface of the waterto allow the pool cleaner to float to the surface under its ownbuoyancy. In one embodiment, the pool cleaner includes a pair oflaterally extending fins which assist in keeping the pool cleaneroriented in the normally upright position while it travels to the watersurface. Once the pool cleaner has reached the water surface of thepool, the retractable cable is wound on the winch and the pool cleaneris pulled along the surface of the water towards the pontoon.

With reference to FIG. 13f , the pool cleaner is self-docking on thepontoon via its internal driving system once it reaches the edge of thepontoon, so as to prevent excess strain on the power cable during thefinal docking sequence when the pool cleaner exits the pool water. Thecable is connected to the pool cleaner at a predetermined position atits front end so that the pool cleaner automatically becomes oriented inthe upright position facing forward when it reaches the edge of thepontoon. The pontoon includes sufficient buoyancy so that it will remainlevel with the surface of the pool and is configured so that it will nottip over when the pool cleaner begins its docking sequence. In oneembodiment, ballast members can be positioned at the bottom of the poolcleaner and floating members can be positioned at the top of the poolcleaner to maintain an upright orientation. In one embodiment, thepontoon has on-board electronics which assist in properly docking thepool cleaner. The electronics can include a microprocessor and sensors.One or more touch sensors can be positioned around the edges of thepontoon for sensing when the cleaner has reached the edge of thepontoon. A range sensor can detect the distance between the pool cleanerand the pontoon. Another sensor can detect the length of cable that hasbeen retracted and therefore the length of cable that remains betweenthe winch and the pool cleaner. The sensors can transmit the data to themicroprocessor for automatically controlling and adjusting the dockingand undocking sequences in real time.

With reference to FIG. 13g , after the pool cleaner is docked, thedriven wheels on the pontoon begin to rotate so that the blades expandto enable the pontoon to move to the edge of the pool. In anotherembodiment, the user manually pulls the pontoon to the edge of the pool,e.g. via a line (not shown) that tethers the pontoon along the side ofthe pool or by using an extension pole having a tool at its end (notshown) that engages with the pontoon.

With reference to FIG. 13h , when the pontoon reaches the side wall ofthe pool, the expanded blades of the driven wheels engage with the poolwall to enable the pontoon to automatically climb the pool wall and exitthe pool. In one embodiment, the blades expand radially to a distancethat is sufficient so that the uppermost blade can engage the top edgeof the side wall of the pool, thereby providing a stationary surface forthe blades to grab onto for enabling the pontoon to be pulled upwardlyas the driven wheels turn. In another embodiment, the user manuallyretrieves the pontoon from the water surface at the edge of the pool,e.g. by grasping the pontoon by hand and lifting it out of the pool.

With reference to FIG. 13i , once the pontoon is fully emerged from thepool so that it is level on the ground, the expanded paddles on thedrive wheels return to the closed/collapsed position and drive thepontoon to a position from the pool and then the pontoon shuts down.Unlike when the pontoon is floating on the pool water, outside of thepool the weight of the pontoon combined with the pool cleaner allows theouter surface of the drive wheels to frictionally engage with the groundto propel the unit without the need to have the paddles in theirexpanded position. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the drivewheels includes a high friction material or coating or one or moreprotruding elements (not shown) and the like to ensure that the wheelsmaintain adequate traction, even while travelling over a smooth surfaceoutside of the pool, such as outdoor patio tiling or the like. Inanother embodiment, the user manually transports the pontoon to adesired resting location, e.g. by carrying it or pulling it along theground by hand.

From the above description, it will be understood that the invention isdirected to a floating pontoon and pool cleaner combination, wherein thepontoon is configured to control the retrieval of the pool cleaner. Inaddition, the pontoon can be configured to control the release and/oroperation of the pool cleaner. The pontoon can exit the poolautomatically after the cleaning operation or can be manually retrievedby a user.

Although an exemplary description of the invention has been set forthabove to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention, that description should not be construed to limit theinvention, and various modifications and variations can be made to thedescription without departing from the scope of the invention, as willbe understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, and the scopethereof is determined by the claims that follow.

1. A pontoon for controlling the retrieval of a pool cleaner connectedto the pontoon, comprising: a. a buoyant housing configured to float inwater of a swimming pool and having a first end and a second end; b. aramped platform positioned in the housing and angled down from the firstend towards the second end; c. a winch adapted for winding and unwindinga cable connected to the pool cleaner.
 2. The pontoon of claim 1,further comprising at least one driven wheel positioned near the firstend.
 3. The pontoon of claim 2, wherein the driven wheel includesextendable paddle blades which extend when the wheel rotates in a givendirection against the frictional force of the pool water.
 4. The pontoonof claim 1, further comprising a power source for powering the winch. 5.The pontoon of claim 4, wherein the power source includes a battery. 6.The pontoon of claim 5, further comprising a solar panel positioned onthe ramped platform for charging the battery.
 7. The pontoon of claim 1,further comprising a touch sensor positioned to sense when the poolcleaner has reached the pontoon.
 8. The pontoon of claim 1, furthercomprising a range sensor for detecting the distance between the poolcleaner and the pontoon.
 9. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising adistance sensor for detecting the length of cable that has beenretracted.
 10. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising at least onepassive wheel positioned near the second end for supporting the buoyanthousing while traversing a solid surface.
 11. The pontoon of claim 1,wherein the ramped platform includes a high-friction surface forpreventing the pool cleaner from sliding down after docking.
 12. Thepontoon of claim 1, further comprising at least one vertical side wallextending laterally between the first end and the second end.
 13. Amethod for controlling the retrieval of a pool cleaner while submergedin pool water comprising: a. providing a buoyant housing having a winchin a swimming pool; b. attaching a cable between the winch and the poolcleaner; and c. winding up the winch to retrieve the pool cleaner fromthe pool water.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the buoyant housingincludes at least one driven wheel and the method further comprises thestep of rotating the driven wheel for moving the buoyant housing alongthe surface of the pool water.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising the step of winding out the winch to release the pool cleanerfrom the buoyant housing.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein thebuoyant housing includes at least one driven wheel and the methodfurther comprises the step of rotating the driven wheel for enabling thebuoyant housing to climb up a sidewall and out of the pool.